Obama's Buffalo trip memorable

Press release

President Barack Obama arrived in Buffalo on Thursday morning. Upon exiting Air Force One, he was headed over to the University at Buffalo to address students, visitors and local leaders.

Article and photo by
Mark Dryfhout

On Aug. 22 at approximately
10:30 a.m., President Barack Obama and Air Force One landed without
incident at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. After stepping
off the massive American aircraft bearing the president's seal,
Obama was greeted by Mayor Byron Brown and his staff, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo and his three daughters, Congressman Brian Higgins, an excited
crowd of roughly 50 locals, an eager congregation of media and
numerous security details.

The
president's arrival marked the beginning of a large tour in which
Obama will give several speeches and discussions about college and
its prices. After Obama left the airport, he traveled to the
University at Buffalo to share his thoughts and ideas on how he plans
to get the government involved in helping students pay the hefty
price tag for college.

"It's
very exciting," Brown said. "Having President Obama discuss such
an important topic for families and students is a great honor. For
the president to start the tour here about higher education and
affordability means that this community is on his radar."

When
the president descended from the belly of Air Force One, a renewed
energy filled the crowd, which had been standing for more than an
hour in anticipation. Obama shook hands and exchanged conversation
with Cuomo, Higgins, Brown and Cuomo's daughters before redirecting
his attention to the crowd of people permitted to attend the arrival.

As
he approached the cheering citizens, Obama exclaimed, "How are all
you people?"

The
president shook hands, laughed, conversed and took pictures with the
crowd during a short 10-minute window. The crowd consisted of family
and friends of the staff involved in making the president's arrival
possible. Each individual was handpicked and run through security
before being allowed to see the president.

Obama
shared the few last moments with other dignitaries before
disappearing into his large, black tour bus and leaving the tarmac. A
28-vehicle convoy was arranged for the president upon his arrival,
including two tour buses, eight police vehicles, an EMS truck and
several other utility vehicles.

After
the motorcade was out of sight, the crowd began to file back into the
shuttle buses to be taken back to the parking lots, but not before
sharing the moments they had with their president.

"It
was a great experience," remarked Ronnie Lumpkin of Buffalo. "It
was the first time I've seen him. He was really personal, he shook
hands, he talked with people and took pictures."

Though
the president only paused for about a quarter of an hour at the
airport, the amount of security and preparation that was visible to
spectators would let them believe he planned to spend a full day on
the tarmac. Everywhere one turned, there was state police, government
staff, secret service, military personnel, armored vehicles, police
vehicles and emergency equipment within shouting distance. Teams of
security agents were even posted on top of several buildings within
the immediate vicinity with a commanding view of the surrounding
area. One reporter's humorous description portrayed the security
coverage surprisingly accurately, "Security here is tighter than my
10-year-old skinny jeans."

For
those who have been counting, it's been approximately four years
since the president last visited Buffalo.